The Transatlantic Trio
Donation protected
The Talisker Whisky Atlantic Challenge is an unsupported 5550km rowing race across the Atlantic Oceam from La Gomera to Antigua, tagged as ‘The worlds toughest row’.
The team will row 2 hours on 2 hours off, 24 hours a day for roughly 45 days. Sleep Deprivation & Exhaustion. Rowing non-stop in 2 hour shifts, day & night. Exposure to extreme weather, giant waves, boat wear & tear, sharks, no outside assistance, shipping...
Health Challenges include salt sores, sun exposure, exhaustion, nutrition - all food must be carried and drinking water pumped with a desalination unit.
Needing to consume over 6000 calories per day. No shower or luxury items. To survive the team will have to work together as a crew, look after each other mentally and physically. Team work will be essential on the oars to row a good race but also instrumental in making crucial navigation decisions and having the mental toughness to continue through this gruelling regime.
THE ROWERS
Gemma. I adore the sea. So much so, that around four years ago, I moved to the South West to be closer to the water and have the chance to enjoy the plethora of activities the water opens up. Three years back, I started rowing Cornish Pilot Gig boats and after my initial introductory training, I was immediately selected to be a member of the Ladies A Crew! I have raced ever since, including at the World Pilot Gig Championships twice and I represented Somerset at the County Championships. By day, I’m a Senior Anatomical Pathology Technologist… and from this? I have learned to enjoy every moment and experience I possibly can in life; and I wish the same for my two children. Since becoming a mother, my upmost aim has been to show them that they can achieve anything in life with passion and determination! Years back, to row the Atlantic Ocean was my ‘stretch’ goal – something that almost seemed a little too far fetched and slightly unreachable…but as life has progressed, I’ve never felt more hungry to achieve anything I set my eye on. My determination is somewhat surprising to some as I’m extremely laid back but trust me, it makes me a force to be reckoned with. Our charities lay so close to my heart; being in my profession as a frontline worker myself. I’m extremely proud to be taking on this gigantic challenge to raise vital funds, especially in such unprecedented times. My family are very proud too and – thank fully – extremely supportive. Although they are wondering what will be next – I mean, what’s bigger than taking on the Atlantic Ocean?! My three Grandchildren…well, they think I’m Moana.
Mark. After a life playing every sport imaginable including rugby union, cricket, golf, tennis, but most notably semi-professional and representative football, what would be next? I know, I’ll learn to row and I will start by rowing across an ocean! The ocean rowing seed was sown after I watched Ben Fogle and James Cracknell row in the Talisker Whisky Atlantic Challenge back in 2005/06. It captivated me in every way possible and I couldn’t let it go. I contacted the organisers of the race to learn more and consequently embarked on the journey to get to the start line, no mean feat in itself. The more qualifying rows I completed the more the power and magnitude of the ocean enhanced my desire to row the Atlantic. And now here we are, just a few months away from the start line with a great project in situ and a fabulously strong team that is in the final stages of preparation, planning and training. I know this is going to push us to the limits, there will be arguments, tears and moments of despair, but it will define each one of us forever and will be a life changing experience.
Jooles. As if raising two young girls as a single parent, managing an AirBnB and running my own business wasn’t enough, I thought why not add rowing 3,000 miles across an ocean to the list?! But I am a strong believer that if you want to do something enough there are no barriers to making it happen, and to say I want to row across the Atlantic is an understatement - it is pretty much all I have thought about for the past 18 months. Since I started rowing in 2007 it has played a huge part in my life. I have changed from someone who was unfulfilled in their work and their hobbies to someone who has developed their own business and is constantly pushing themselves to achieve their dreams. A lot of this I put down to the single mindedness and determination I have learnt from rowing. I am proud of what I have achieved in that time - I hold two Boston Marathon records, an indoor Concept2 record and mostly recently rowed 30 half marathons in 45 days- but rowing across the Atlantic will top all of that. Being on the water is so natural to me, having lived on a canal boat for the first half of my life, but this is going to be a different matter altogether. However the last few weeks of keeping my distance from people and spending my time in isolation are probably good preparation for the race itself! Oh and one more thing - the race starts on my 40th birthday - leaving La Gomera is going to be the biggest and best birthday party I have ever had. However unlike other birthdays where I can eat and drink what I like and not have to worry about it the next day this one is going to be slightly different - it is going to be followed by weeks of exercise and no sleep! I know this will be the toughest thing I have ever done and ever will do, but we should never be scared of challenging ourselves to achieve more. If you put persistence, consistency and effort into everything you do then anything really is possible. I just can’t wait to start now
Amy. My ultimate goal in life is to row an ocean; and to do that at the age of 25 is an utter privilege. Although…it does seem like I’m peaking too early; so I’ll have to use the hours rowing mid-Atlantic, in the darkness, to dream-up more gigantic adventures. I have rowed competitively, in fine-boats, across the world then moved on to be head-coach for training camps in the USA. I have a pretty relaxed and unique coaching style. I would send off an 8-person boat with only two people in it; I would jump out the boat and try to capsize it; I would have the girls, sat in their boat, on dry-land for multiple practice sessions. Some people thought I was mad but my girls became the best and I hope I can bring my alternative view on training, fundraising and events to FORCE GENESIS. I’m a proud Yorkshire girl, working in Cyber Security now living in the sunny South West of England, striving to challenge the common conception that the North South divider is the M25 circular - p.s. it’s not! Being in the tech sector, it’s easy to be engulfed indoors which makes me more excited to get out on the ocean. The fresh sea breeze, the unpredictable environment and most of all… the essential vitamin D! The Talisker Whisky Atlantic Challenge is the icing on top of an already pretty incredible sporting-career cake, having been on the England Karate Squad too. But more importantly, the opportunity to use my skills and determination for more than just wanting to win and be the best - being able to utilise the race as a platform to raise a life-changing amount of money for two incredible charities is the upmost honour. December 12th 2020 - we’re coming for ya!
YOUR SUPPORT
The support of partners is essential for the success of our campaign, 4 of us may do the rowing, however this is a massive team campaign.
Your business will benefit from supporting us by Increased PR, brand exposure and outreach through global media coverage, events and partner network . Your brand will receive local, national and international exposure through TV, press, radio and social media from our campaign and the Talisker Whisky Atlantic Challenge.
Team endorsement of your products or services. This can be through a variety of channels including content creation such as video footage and photos on the row, as well as mentions on our blog, website and social media to directly engage your target audience.
High quality media content. The team will be available for press releases about the partnership and will provide rights to all photos and video content from the row to partners.
We have a variety of corporate sponsorship levels available for you to partner our team.
Title Partner £25k-50k
Most prominent logo on the boat both sides and internal structure for go pro action shots on board.
Largest logo on the front of ALL team kit
Company will be mentioned as team partner in all media
A day out on the boat
Post event speaking event at your offices or location of your choice
A year on from the event talk about how it has affected us individually and as a crew.
Frequent mentions on social media
Blog post about your business
Links to your company on our website
Rights to all photos and video from the event
Brand an oar.You will be presented post race with the oar
All details in this partnership are open to negotiation, we are open to other suggestions on how best to support each other
Gold Sponsorship Package £10k
Prime 1m logo boat cabin (both sides) and ALL team kit
Press release announcing partnership
A day out on the boat
Post event speaking event at your offices
Frequent mentions on social media
Blog post about your business
Links to your company on our website
Rights to all photos and video from the event
Brand an oar (Extra 1k) You will be presented post race with the oar
Silver Sponsorship Package £5k
Premium 0.5m logo placement on the boat cabin or hull and team kit
Company name of some of the team kit
Join us on the boat for a training row
Promotion of product via social media
Blog post about your business
Links to your company on our website
Rights to all photos and video from the event
Brand an oar (Extra 1k) You will be presented post race with the oar
Oar Sponsorship £10k (Limited number)
Logo on the blade and shank of one main pair of oars used in training and the event.
Company name on team kit
Mentions on social media
Links to your company on our website
Rights to all photos and video from the event
At the end of the event the oar is yours to keep
Bronze Sponsorship Package £2.5k
Logo 0.3m placement on the boat one side
Mentions on social media
Links to your company on our website
Rights to all photos and video from the event
Brand an oar (Extra 1k) You will be presented post race with the oar
Brand an Oar £1k
Logo on an oar. Links to your company on our website
GETTING TO THE START LINE
For us to complete the crossing, first we need to fund a boat, technical and life-saving equipment, onshore support, food and other operational costs.
The boat will be sold after the race and recouped funds will be donated to the chosen charities. Product donations and discounts from suppliers are helping to keep the costs to a minimum and increase the charitable donations.
OTHER WAYS TO SPONSOR US
We need lots of equipment to keep us safe, keep in touch, to help us navigate, in fact the list is endless. If your company or as an individual would like to donate any of the following items we would be extremely grateful in enabling this expedition to get to the start line. Please do get in touch with us for an up to date list and ways in which you can help us.
£250 CLUB
The aim of the 250 Club is to involve the local communities and local businesses, friends, colleagues and family in a one off collaboration to celebrate the courageousness, the sacrifices that will be made, the hardships, the sheer strength and metal toughness required to row an ocean by Mark, Amy, Gemma and Jooles.
The aim is to bring 250 donations together all donating £250 in many different ways from grass roots fundraising like bake sales and sponsored walk or rowing events through to family members clubbing together to donate together. For smaller businesses this amount is a feasible amount to them but also really does make a huge difference once they start getting on board. You get your name and picture and weblink on our £250 Club page on our website with a motivational message and name on the cabins inside as a reminder to us through the dark times of all the people supporting us.
A sense of community and working together towards one goal is created though everyone's efforts. You may even want to tie in a holiday to Antigua in Jan/Feb 2021 to welcome us in. Its set to be an amazing party. The race organisers recommend waiting until the crew are two weeks away from reaching Antigua before booking flights.
250 x £250 = £62,500 which is the cost of the boat. The whole project costing £130,000
We have a variety of corporate sponsorship levels ranging £2500 up to being our Title Sponsor, please ask us for our corporate sponsorship package.
WHY ARE WE DOING IT?
To be the first Mixed Four (3 females, one male) to row the Atlantic (Guinness World Record)
To be the first crew with females in to reach Antigua in the 2020 race
Massive mental challenge
Wildlife including whales, turtles, birds & bioluminescence to name a few.
Physical challenge - The ultimate rowing race
Jooles, Mark and Gemma to inspire their 8 children between them and 4 grandchildren
True teamwork
Ultimate rowing challenge
Raise money for Blood Bikes
To learn the sport of Ocean Rowing
To share our understanding of team dynamics with workforces and companies who partner with us.
It would mean the world to all of us if you make a donation however big or small.
Thank you
Jooles, Mark, Amy & Gemma
x
The team will row 2 hours on 2 hours off, 24 hours a day for roughly 45 days. Sleep Deprivation & Exhaustion. Rowing non-stop in 2 hour shifts, day & night. Exposure to extreme weather, giant waves, boat wear & tear, sharks, no outside assistance, shipping...
Health Challenges include salt sores, sun exposure, exhaustion, nutrition - all food must be carried and drinking water pumped with a desalination unit.
Needing to consume over 6000 calories per day. No shower or luxury items. To survive the team will have to work together as a crew, look after each other mentally and physically. Team work will be essential on the oars to row a good race but also instrumental in making crucial navigation decisions and having the mental toughness to continue through this gruelling regime.
THE ROWERS
Gemma. I adore the sea. So much so, that around four years ago, I moved to the South West to be closer to the water and have the chance to enjoy the plethora of activities the water opens up. Three years back, I started rowing Cornish Pilot Gig boats and after my initial introductory training, I was immediately selected to be a member of the Ladies A Crew! I have raced ever since, including at the World Pilot Gig Championships twice and I represented Somerset at the County Championships. By day, I’m a Senior Anatomical Pathology Technologist… and from this? I have learned to enjoy every moment and experience I possibly can in life; and I wish the same for my two children. Since becoming a mother, my upmost aim has been to show them that they can achieve anything in life with passion and determination! Years back, to row the Atlantic Ocean was my ‘stretch’ goal – something that almost seemed a little too far fetched and slightly unreachable…but as life has progressed, I’ve never felt more hungry to achieve anything I set my eye on. My determination is somewhat surprising to some as I’m extremely laid back but trust me, it makes me a force to be reckoned with. Our charities lay so close to my heart; being in my profession as a frontline worker myself. I’m extremely proud to be taking on this gigantic challenge to raise vital funds, especially in such unprecedented times. My family are very proud too and – thank fully – extremely supportive. Although they are wondering what will be next – I mean, what’s bigger than taking on the Atlantic Ocean?! My three Grandchildren…well, they think I’m Moana.
Mark. After a life playing every sport imaginable including rugby union, cricket, golf, tennis, but most notably semi-professional and representative football, what would be next? I know, I’ll learn to row and I will start by rowing across an ocean! The ocean rowing seed was sown after I watched Ben Fogle and James Cracknell row in the Talisker Whisky Atlantic Challenge back in 2005/06. It captivated me in every way possible and I couldn’t let it go. I contacted the organisers of the race to learn more and consequently embarked on the journey to get to the start line, no mean feat in itself. The more qualifying rows I completed the more the power and magnitude of the ocean enhanced my desire to row the Atlantic. And now here we are, just a few months away from the start line with a great project in situ and a fabulously strong team that is in the final stages of preparation, planning and training. I know this is going to push us to the limits, there will be arguments, tears and moments of despair, but it will define each one of us forever and will be a life changing experience.
Jooles. As if raising two young girls as a single parent, managing an AirBnB and running my own business wasn’t enough, I thought why not add rowing 3,000 miles across an ocean to the list?! But I am a strong believer that if you want to do something enough there are no barriers to making it happen, and to say I want to row across the Atlantic is an understatement - it is pretty much all I have thought about for the past 18 months. Since I started rowing in 2007 it has played a huge part in my life. I have changed from someone who was unfulfilled in their work and their hobbies to someone who has developed their own business and is constantly pushing themselves to achieve their dreams. A lot of this I put down to the single mindedness and determination I have learnt from rowing. I am proud of what I have achieved in that time - I hold two Boston Marathon records, an indoor Concept2 record and mostly recently rowed 30 half marathons in 45 days- but rowing across the Atlantic will top all of that. Being on the water is so natural to me, having lived on a canal boat for the first half of my life, but this is going to be a different matter altogether. However the last few weeks of keeping my distance from people and spending my time in isolation are probably good preparation for the race itself! Oh and one more thing - the race starts on my 40th birthday - leaving La Gomera is going to be the biggest and best birthday party I have ever had. However unlike other birthdays where I can eat and drink what I like and not have to worry about it the next day this one is going to be slightly different - it is going to be followed by weeks of exercise and no sleep! I know this will be the toughest thing I have ever done and ever will do, but we should never be scared of challenging ourselves to achieve more. If you put persistence, consistency and effort into everything you do then anything really is possible. I just can’t wait to start now
Amy. My ultimate goal in life is to row an ocean; and to do that at the age of 25 is an utter privilege. Although…it does seem like I’m peaking too early; so I’ll have to use the hours rowing mid-Atlantic, in the darkness, to dream-up more gigantic adventures. I have rowed competitively, in fine-boats, across the world then moved on to be head-coach for training camps in the USA. I have a pretty relaxed and unique coaching style. I would send off an 8-person boat with only two people in it; I would jump out the boat and try to capsize it; I would have the girls, sat in their boat, on dry-land for multiple practice sessions. Some people thought I was mad but my girls became the best and I hope I can bring my alternative view on training, fundraising and events to FORCE GENESIS. I’m a proud Yorkshire girl, working in Cyber Security now living in the sunny South West of England, striving to challenge the common conception that the North South divider is the M25 circular - p.s. it’s not! Being in the tech sector, it’s easy to be engulfed indoors which makes me more excited to get out on the ocean. The fresh sea breeze, the unpredictable environment and most of all… the essential vitamin D! The Talisker Whisky Atlantic Challenge is the icing on top of an already pretty incredible sporting-career cake, having been on the England Karate Squad too. But more importantly, the opportunity to use my skills and determination for more than just wanting to win and be the best - being able to utilise the race as a platform to raise a life-changing amount of money for two incredible charities is the upmost honour. December 12th 2020 - we’re coming for ya!
YOUR SUPPORT
The support of partners is essential for the success of our campaign, 4 of us may do the rowing, however this is a massive team campaign.
Your business will benefit from supporting us by Increased PR, brand exposure and outreach through global media coverage, events and partner network . Your brand will receive local, national and international exposure through TV, press, radio and social media from our campaign and the Talisker Whisky Atlantic Challenge.
Team endorsement of your products or services. This can be through a variety of channels including content creation such as video footage and photos on the row, as well as mentions on our blog, website and social media to directly engage your target audience.
High quality media content. The team will be available for press releases about the partnership and will provide rights to all photos and video content from the row to partners.
We have a variety of corporate sponsorship levels available for you to partner our team.
Title Partner £25k-50k
Most prominent logo on the boat both sides and internal structure for go pro action shots on board.
Largest logo on the front of ALL team kit
Company will be mentioned as team partner in all media
A day out on the boat
Post event speaking event at your offices or location of your choice
A year on from the event talk about how it has affected us individually and as a crew.
Frequent mentions on social media
Blog post about your business
Links to your company on our website
Rights to all photos and video from the event
Brand an oar.You will be presented post race with the oar
All details in this partnership are open to negotiation, we are open to other suggestions on how best to support each other
Gold Sponsorship Package £10k
Prime 1m logo boat cabin (both sides) and ALL team kit
Press release announcing partnership
A day out on the boat
Post event speaking event at your offices
Frequent mentions on social media
Blog post about your business
Links to your company on our website
Rights to all photos and video from the event
Brand an oar (Extra 1k) You will be presented post race with the oar
Silver Sponsorship Package £5k
Premium 0.5m logo placement on the boat cabin or hull and team kit
Company name of some of the team kit
Join us on the boat for a training row
Promotion of product via social media
Blog post about your business
Links to your company on our website
Rights to all photos and video from the event
Brand an oar (Extra 1k) You will be presented post race with the oar
Oar Sponsorship £10k (Limited number)
Logo on the blade and shank of one main pair of oars used in training and the event.
Company name on team kit
Mentions on social media
Links to your company on our website
Rights to all photos and video from the event
At the end of the event the oar is yours to keep
Bronze Sponsorship Package £2.5k
Logo 0.3m placement on the boat one side
Mentions on social media
Links to your company on our website
Rights to all photos and video from the event
Brand an oar (Extra 1k) You will be presented post race with the oar
Brand an Oar £1k
Logo on an oar. Links to your company on our website
GETTING TO THE START LINE
For us to complete the crossing, first we need to fund a boat, technical and life-saving equipment, onshore support, food and other operational costs.
The boat will be sold after the race and recouped funds will be donated to the chosen charities. Product donations and discounts from suppliers are helping to keep the costs to a minimum and increase the charitable donations.
OTHER WAYS TO SPONSOR US
We need lots of equipment to keep us safe, keep in touch, to help us navigate, in fact the list is endless. If your company or as an individual would like to donate any of the following items we would be extremely grateful in enabling this expedition to get to the start line. Please do get in touch with us for an up to date list and ways in which you can help us.
£250 CLUB
The aim of the 250 Club is to involve the local communities and local businesses, friends, colleagues and family in a one off collaboration to celebrate the courageousness, the sacrifices that will be made, the hardships, the sheer strength and metal toughness required to row an ocean by Mark, Amy, Gemma and Jooles.
The aim is to bring 250 donations together all donating £250 in many different ways from grass roots fundraising like bake sales and sponsored walk or rowing events through to family members clubbing together to donate together. For smaller businesses this amount is a feasible amount to them but also really does make a huge difference once they start getting on board. You get your name and picture and weblink on our £250 Club page on our website with a motivational message and name on the cabins inside as a reminder to us through the dark times of all the people supporting us.
A sense of community and working together towards one goal is created though everyone's efforts. You may even want to tie in a holiday to Antigua in Jan/Feb 2021 to welcome us in. Its set to be an amazing party. The race organisers recommend waiting until the crew are two weeks away from reaching Antigua before booking flights.
250 x £250 = £62,500 which is the cost of the boat. The whole project costing £130,000
We have a variety of corporate sponsorship levels ranging £2500 up to being our Title Sponsor, please ask us for our corporate sponsorship package.
WHY ARE WE DOING IT?
To be the first Mixed Four (3 females, one male) to row the Atlantic (Guinness World Record)
To be the first crew with females in to reach Antigua in the 2020 race
Massive mental challenge
Wildlife including whales, turtles, birds & bioluminescence to name a few.
Physical challenge - The ultimate rowing race
Jooles, Mark and Gemma to inspire their 8 children between them and 4 grandchildren
True teamwork
Ultimate rowing challenge
Raise money for Blood Bikes
To learn the sport of Ocean Rowing
To share our understanding of team dynamics with workforces and companies who partner with us.
It would mean the world to all of us if you make a donation however big or small.
Thank you
Jooles, Mark, Amy & Gemma
x
Organizer
Mark Sealey
Organizer
